Participating in an on-campus audition is highly recommended, especially if a student wishes to be considered for a scholarship. If a student is unable to attend a regularly scheduled audition, it is possible to request a Special Audition (see Application/Audition Request Form). If distance prohibits a student from coming to campus for a live audition, a CD or DVD may be submitted by mail in addition to the online Application/Audition Request Form.

All CDs (or DVD's) should be submitted by mail, with a listing of the program performed, in addition to a completed online Music Application/Audition Request Form. Please send the CD or DVD to John Huling, Director of Admissions, Music & Dance Dept., 271 Fine Arts Center, UMass Amherst, Amherst MA 01003. Call 413-545-6048 or email jhuling@music.umass.edu with any questions.

The Department reserves the right to require a live audition in addition to a recording before granting final admission to any degree program.

For Voice applicants: Pre-screening materials are required. Please send a link to the materials listed below to williamhite@music.umass.edu (preferred) or send a CD/DVD to the Department (Director of Admissions, 271 Fine Arts Center, UMass Amherst, Amherst MA 01003) at least 3 weeks prior to your requested audition date for review. You will then be notified as to whether the faculty would like you to perform a live audition.

Pre-screening materials for Voice: Two songs (both with piano accompaniment), one of which should be sung in a foreign language (i.e. French, German, Italian, etc.)

REGULAR AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

A - Repertoire
Three (3) songs memorized, selected from the art song, Lieder, oratorio, opera or folk ballad literature demonstrating more than one language. (An accompanist will be provided.)

B - Aural Skills
Students will be asked to perform melodic and rhythmic sight reading as well as tonal memory exercises.

A - Repertoire
One or more movements each, from three different works demonstrating fast playing, slow playing, and articulation abilities. These works should be in different historical styles. For example: a fast movement from a Mozart Concerto, a slow movement from a Bach Sonata, and a modern work such as Varèse, Density 21.5. One of these movements may be an etude.

B - Technique
Major and minor scales, arpeggios and chromatic scales throughout the practical range of the instrument.

A fast and a slow movement chosen from works such as the Mozart horn concertos, the Haydn concertos, the Strauss Concerto Op. 11, the Beethoven Sonata, the Dukas Villanelle, and the Bernard Heiden Sonata.

An etude such as those by Gallay, Kopprasch and Kling.

B - Technique
Major and chromatic scales throughout the practical range of the instrument.

If applying for the Jazz Drum Set program, click here. Jazz Drum set applicants are encouraged to, but are not required to perform a classical percussion audition. Contact: Professor Thomas Giampietro, thomasg@music.umass.edu, (413) 577-1709

A - Repertoire (Please prepare solos/etudes for ALL of the instruments listed below)

A – Repertoire
Two (2) contrasting selections that best represent your level of performance. One selection should demonstrate tone quality and control; the other should feature left hand technical facility.

Please note: For Vocal Jazz Major/Minor auditons you do not need to send in a pre-screening CD nor do you have to prepare any classical repertoire.

Audtion process:

1. Prepare three stylistically different tunes from the standard Jazz repertoire. These should include a medium tempo jazz selection, a jazz ballad, and the third song can be blues based, a bossa, samba or contemporary jazz song. Lead sheets should be prepared in your own key.

Three stylistically different tunes from the standard Jazz repertoire. These should include a medium tempo jazz selection such as Out Of Nowhere, Just Friends, or Joy Spring, a blues such as Billie's Bounce or Straight No Chaser (not Blue Monk), and, a contrasting up tempo jazz, jazz waltz, Latin, or contemporary jazz piece (no ballads). Performance of the melody, comping and a minimum of two improvised choruses per tune will be required (4 improvised choruses for blues). Bring four copies of each lead sheet.
Non-jazz pieces may be prepared in addition to the above requirements (bring lead sheets as applicable).

Students will be asked to demonstrate “comping” styles over blues, rhythm changes (like “Oleo”), and a more contemporary “vamp” sequence.
Scales: all major and minor two octaves ascending and descending (piano both hands).
ii V I's in all major and minor keys: comp and improvise in 2 and 4 measure increments.
Sight Reading: single lines, rhythmic sequences and chord changes in jazz and related styles such as Latin and rock/funk.
Instrument and/or voice pitch matching may also be administered.

Three stylistically different tunes from the standard Jazz repertoire. These should include a medium tempo jazz selection such as Out Of Nowhere, Just Friends, or Joy Spring, a blues such as Billie's Bounce or Straight No Chaser (not Blue Monk), and, a contrasting up tempo jazz, jazz waltz, Latin, or contemporary jazz piece (no ballads). Performance of the melody, comping and a minimum of two improvised choruses per tune will be required (4 improvised choruses for blues). Bring four copies of each lead sheet.
Non-jazz pieces may be prepared in addition to the above requirements (bring lead sheets as applicable).

Students will be asked to demonstrate “comping” styles over blues, rhythm changes (like “Oleo”), and a more contemporary “vamp” sequence.
(Bass players will "walk" over directives)
Scales: all major and minor two octaves ascending and descending.
ii V I's in all major and minor keys: comp and improvise in 2 and 4 measure increments.
Sight Reading: single lines, rhythmic sequences and chord changes in jazz and related styles such as Latin and rock/funk.
Instrument and/or voice pitch matching may also be administered.

Jazz bassists will be required to study acoustic bass for a minimum of two years (Classical audition materials may be part of the audition - see Double Bass requirements if applicable)

Amplified bassists must bring their own patch cords. An amp will be provided.

Students will demonstrate the following styles: swing (moderate, moderate trading 4's between time and solo; and up-tempo), Latin (bossa and samba), Jazz waltz, funk, moderate rock, brushes: medium tempo swing and ballad, 12/8 Afro-Cuban and songo and an odd meter (5/4 or 7/4-swing)

Performance of a jazz or straight-8 th tune selected from the standard jazz repertoire.
An accompanist (piano or guitar, with or without bass) will be provided. This should NOT be a big band chart! And the student will also be required to improvise a solo over the form of their chosen tune. Bring 4 copies of the lead sheet for this tune.

Students will also play a prepared drum set solo of their choice – please bring 4 copies of the piece. The prepared solo should be either a solo composed by the student or a transcription of a recorded jazz solo.

Students will be required to sight read a big-band chart, a rhythm sheet and/or a lead sheet.
Voice pitch matching may also be administered.

A drum-set will be provided for the audition. However, please bring your own cymbals (including high hats), snare drum, bass drum pedal and sticks/brushes/mallets.

Please note: All Drum Set auditionees may also prepare a percussion audition to include snare drum and mallet selections. Please see Percussion requirements above. Make sure you identify on your audition application whether you will be preparing a percussion component.

Three stylistically different tunes from the standard Jazz repertoire. These should include a medium tempo jazz selection such as Out Of Nowhere, Just Friends, or Joy Spring, a blues such as Billie's Bounce or Straight No Chaser (not Blue Monk), and, a contrasting up tempo jazz, jazz waltz, Latin, or contemporary jazz piece (no ballads). Performance of the melody and a minimum of two improvised choruses per tune will be required (4 improvised choruses for blues). Bring four copies of each lead sheet. Non-jazz pieces may be prepared in addition to the above requirements (bring lead sheets as applicable).

Students will be asked to demonstrate rhythm changes (like “Oleo”) and a more contemporary “vamp” sequence.
Scales: all major and minor through 4 sharps and 4 flats; two octaves ascending and descending.
ii V I's in all major and minor keys: comp and improvise in 2 and 4 measure increments.
Sight Reading: single lines, rhythmic sequences and chord changes in jazz and related styles such as Latin and rock/funk.
Instrument and/or voice pitch matching may also be administered.

An accompanist (piano or guitar, with or without bass) will be provided.

Students must also prepare the non-jazz audition repertoire for their instrument; see Saxophone, Trumpet and Trombone (or whatever your main instrument is) audition requirements above. You may also contact the studio Professor for your instrument if you have questions.

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